The prevalence and causes of drug use have been politicized in the Philippines. President Duterte painted a picture of a huge menace created by drug users: that is, drug users are engaged in violent crimes, killing innocent people and raping children; they engage in robbery, theft, and other property crimes to satiate their drug cravings; and that addicts roam the streets like “zombies” creating fear in the hearts of the general public. President Duterte also claimed that drug use has destroyed the fabric of the families and the communities where drug dealing and selling has been rampant. 

These dire pictures have been sold and bought by the public. Thus, President Duterte also easily sold the simple yet brutal solution: the strong use of police force to arrest and detain the drug users, and if they “fight back,” for the neutralization (killing) of the said “drug addicts.” These have resulted in at least 6,000 Filipinos killed at the hands of the police and another 25,000 or so Filipinos killed by unknown assailants. It has also translated to the extreme congestion of our already overcrowded jails.

The key issue here, however, is that very few studies have actually conducted a scientific inquiry to establish the prevalence of drug use in the Philippines. One survey study of school age students found that 1.8% of respondents admitted to drug use (defined as either marijuana or shabu use at least once in their lifetime) which was then used to extrapolate that 1.8 million of the 100 million Filipinos used drugs. 

This extrapolation is erroneous on so many fronts. For example, at least 20 million Filipinos are still in pre-school, so they should have not been included in the extrapolation. Also, taking drugs at least once does not indicate regular drug use. Thus, the estimate that there were 1.8 million Filipino “drug addicts” is questionable and scientifically unsound. 

The key point is without a basic knowledge of the “actual” and not the perceived prevalence of drug use, we cannot know the real magnitude of the problem. While we do not downplay the nature of the problem, it can also lead to exaggerated responses. For example, in the USA, 13% of high schoolers self-admit to the use of drugs, way higher than the 1.8% reported, but it did not translate to mass killings of drug users. 

The second important issue is that very few studies try to understand why Filipinos use and abuse drugs (shabu, primarily). The few studies that have investigated show that Filipinos use shabu for “energy” – that is, to keep them awake during long hours of work (drivers, meat vendors, call center agents, etc., work late at night, and they use it as “pampagising”). 

Shabu is also used due to peer pressure, lack of family monitoring, and to overcome boredom and stress. Marijuana is more likely to be used by teenagers as they try to satiate their curiosity and adventurism. Ecstacy is more likely to be used as party drugs during concerts for the rich and famous. Low-level drug dealers engage in this trade due to lack of employment opportunities. 

Trying to understand the reasons for drug use provides a better sustainable and long-lasting solution to the problem of drugs. For example: if the reason for drug use is work-related, changes in the work structure should be in place. Taxi operators, for example, should evaluate the 24-hour work for taxi drivers. Call center agencies should provide respite during graveyard shifts for their employees. Schools should teach students about how to resist the negative influence of peers. Programs to improve parental skills in monitoring their children should also be introduced. Strict monitoring of concerts by establishing certain standards can be imposed on organizers. Mechanisms to improve local employment programs, such as skills development by TESDA and capital loans provided by DSWD, can all be enlarged to meet more clients.  

By understanding the prevalence and root causes of drug offending, we can provide sustainable solutions. We can realize that killing our fellow Filipinos is not the solution to this enduring problem. Even if the drug addicts are physically eliminated, the root cause of the problem stays and new drug users will simply emerge.

For the candidates in this election: What are your positions on the drug issue? 

For the voters: Ask your candidates what their agenda is on the issue of drug use. – Rappler.com

Raymund E. Narag, PhD is Associate Professor at the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.